(Newser)
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The so-called “tea party” movement has spawned a host of primary challengers for House Republicans, pressuring them to stay far to the right, CQ Politics reports. “I’ve got four primary challengers, and all of them hope to capitalize on the tea parties,” complains Bob Inglis of South Carolina, who has come under fire for backing a carbon tax and the resolution condemning Joe “You Lie” Wilson.

Other common challenger complaints include supporting the Wall Street bailout or climate change proposals. “On big issues, I don’t think you’re going to see much bipartisanship because our right wing has dug in so hard,” says South Carolina’s Mark Souder, whose primary opponent has even criticized him for bringing earmarks to his own district. “And there’s, quite frankly, panic among Democrats.”

Tea Party-most attending these gatherings are beer drinkers-so call it what it is-most never had tea nor do they know about the history of the tea party-what a joke

MarkFL

Sep 23, 2009 9:59 AM CDT

Capitalize on the Tea Parties: That is sort of like cashing in your merry go round tokens. The tea parties (unrelated to tea, or parties, or the Boston Tea Party) were only a few people. I hope that the Republicans push to the far right. That is the place where they will lose. People want lower taxes (which Obama is providing) but they don't really want all the idiot baggage that goes with it: school prayer, creationism, and racism for example.

rajanKazhmin

Sep 23, 2009 1:27 AM CDT

There are legitimate concerns to be had about government spending. The right loses all credibility on those issues due to their religious infused backwards social agenda. If they would drop the god talk, leave the gays alone, and stand up to the racist undercurrent around the fringe they might win some people over on fiscal issues.